Time We Discuss: Becoming a Poet with Samantha Mineroff
Watch/Listen to this Episode Becoming a Poet with Samantha Mineroff
In this episode of Time We Discuss, the host interviews Samantha Mineroff, a poet and writer, about her creative process, experiences with self publishing, and the challenges of promoting poetry independently.
Samantha shares how she develops ideas for her poetry, often jotting down inspiration in journals or her phone’s Notes app. She prefers letting thoughts evolve naturally rather than forcing creativity. She recalls how Kristin Williams, a self-published author, also used her phone to write, which she found inspiring.
Discussing the publishing side of her work, Samantha explains why she chose self publishing over traditional routes. While she initially pursued traditional publication for her fiction, repeated rejections drained her passion. However, writing poetry allowed her to reclaim her creativity without industry pressures. Though self publishing gave her full control, it also meant handling all aspects of promotion herself.
To market her poetry, Samantha strategically engaged with mental health communities. One of her poetry books, a collaborative project, gained traction organically as contributors shared it widely. She also networked with therapists and mental health advocates, creating meaningful discussions around her poems.
Reflecting on her education, Samantha notes how formal training both helped and hindered her as a poet. While it taught her structure and precision, it also made her overly receptive to criticism, making it difficult to maintain her unique voice. Over time, she learned to filter feedback, taking what was valuable while staying true to her poetic style.
She encourages aspiring poets to develop their voice by journaling daily and exploring prompts that evoke strong emotions. She emphasizes that poetry is deeply personal and that practicing consistently helps refine one's artistic perspective.
Samantha also shares the practical aspects of self publishing, such as working with a vendor for formatting and design. The process involved extensive revisions, proofing, and feedback from trusted readers. Collaborating with editors and designers helped her create a polished final product while ensuring her poetry remained authentic.
When asked how she identifies herself, Samantha says she considers herself a writer more broadly rather than strictly a poet, as she works in multiple genres. However, poetry has played a significant role in her journey and continues to shape her creative expression.
For those looking to become a poet professionally, Samantha suggests engaging with online poetry communities, participating in virtual open mic nights, and submitting poems to literary magazines and book festivals. She compares this to how comedians test material at live shows, explaining that sharing poetry in low-stakes environments helps poets refine their craft.
She also introduces her book Dear Daughter, a collection of poetry centered on mental health advocacy. Inspired by real-life experiences and anonymous submissions, the book explores themes of grief, perfectionism, and self-forgiveness. Samantha collaborated with therapists to create a resource that helps readers process emotions through poetry.
Links from the Show
Also Mentioned in This Episode:
- Become a Hypnotist with Chris Swift (White Rabbit Hypnosis)
- Self-Published Author: Kristin Williams (Author, The Inept Mother)
- Become a Standup Comedian with Meredith Dietz
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
Discover the full story and more insightful conversations at Time We Discuss, where we explore real careers with real people.
Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Other Podcast Platforms
Consider sharing this video and podcast. By helping "Time We Discuss", together, we are helping others.